Three Years and Three Years

Chapter 76: The Years Pass Peacefully

Zhou Mushi didn’t really like Chen Sheng as a person. Since he was young, he had a good memory and thought that older brother was odd and out of touch. However, his older brother thought that it was carefree and followed behind Chen Sheng like a shadow.

The two of them got off the car and bought some daily necessities and food at the supermarket. From the outside, the supermarket had good decorations, but they realized that the things inside were not clearly priced after entering.

Zhou Mushi didn’t mind, but Jin Yang didn’t like to shop in this kind of supermarket. When he was young, he was thin-skinned and didn’t know how to bargain. He had suffered losses in both markets and private shops.

Later, when he grew up, he developed a habit of going to large supermarkets with clear prices, where all goods were sold at a unified price, which made people feel at ease.

The two of them randomly picked up some dishwashing detergent, dishcloths, and a few oranges. When the aunt at the checkout counter saw the two boys, she charged them random prices.

The XX brand small bottle of dishwashing detergent, which was sold for four yuan in regular supermarkets, was charged five yuan and five cents by her. The other items were also charged with an extra one yuan or five mao.

Jin Yang didn’t lack that money and didn’t want to argue with her, but he was a little unhappy in his heart. He didn’t like this kind of “looking down on people” behavior.

But these kinds of aunties take advantage of young people like them, thinking that young people care about their face and won’t argue with them. They don’t know much about prices, so they just charge them random prices.

But isn’t that the case everywhere in society?

Even for the same business deal, if they see that the other company has sent an experienced negotiator, they will be cautious and won’t raise prices too high. But if they encounter a naive kid or a girl who just entered the workforce, they will ask for sky-high prices. What’s the difference in a small store like this?

The two of them planned for dinner and went to the vegetable market to buy some green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggs, beef, and potatoes.

Jin Yang prepared a pot of braised beef in the kitchen, which Zhou Mushi liked very much. It was appetizing when paired with rice.

The orange light in the kitchen shone on him, making him look particularly beautiful.

Zhou Mushi stood beside him and cut the green peppers. The green peppers they bought this time were light green with thick skin and not very spicy, but very fresh. When he cut it open, the refreshing aroma of green peppers spread out, not pungent, and the natural flavor of the ingredients had a special attraction.

The kitchen space wasn’t too big, just enough to accommodate two people bustling together.

One rinsed the rice, the other washed the vegetables.

One stirred the pot, the other sat on a small stool next to him and chatted.

Time passed slowly, even the passing years pass peacefully1 This poetic expression describes a feeling of peace and contentment associated with the passage of time. It implies that time moves slowly and peacefully, and that even the harshness of life can become softened with time. It’s a metaphorical expression that suggests a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the flow of life and the inevitable changes that come with it..

Zhou Mushi sat with his chin in his hand, smelling the aroma of steaming rice and the fragrance of beef on the stove, feeling a sense of great satisfaction.

“If we ever get bored, we can get a cat,” he said.

After adjusting the heat, Jin Yang sat next to him and asked, “Why not get a dog?”

Zhou Mushi pouted and said, “I actually like dogs, but I read online that they don’t know how to find a place to go to the bathroom and you have to pick up their poop. Cats, on the other hand, seem to go to the bathroom in a fixed litter box. It’s so much easier.”

“I can go to the toilet by myself and don’t need to worry about it,” Jin Yang suddenly said.

Zhou Mushi glanced at him and said, “Wow! Not only that, but you can also cook. That’s impressive.”

Jin Yang leaned on Zhou Mushi’s shoulder with a smile and said, “Do you want to keep me?”

“You evil capitalist. Do you think it’s funny to say that to a working-class person? My family couldn’t afford you even if we sold everything we had. Why should I keep you? Aren’t you worried that you’ll never be able to spend all your money in this lifetime?” Zhou Mushi retorted.

“I’ll be happier spending someone else’s money,” Jin Yang admitted honestly.

Zhou Mushi widened his eyes. Did his boyfriend become perverted as soon as he became rich? Jin Yang used to be ambitious and motivated, so when did he become a white-faced guy who only wants to spend someone else’s money?

Seeing him in shock, Jin Yang finally told the truth, “I was just kidding with you. I donated part of it to the orphanage.”

“Well, that’s good. If you weren’t rich, I would have kept you,” Zhou Mushi said, patting his chest.

After dinner, the two rested for a while before going downstairs for a walk and then to the supermarket to buy some food and drinks.

“I’m so full!” Zhou Mushi held his stomach, carrying a panda plush toy they bought at the supermarket, and holding a bottle of green tea.

Jin Yang wanted to take the bottle of tea from him, but his hands were full of plastic bags, so he used his left hand to reach out to Zhou Mushi and said, “Put the tea in the bag.”

Young Master Zhou shook his head firmly and said, “No, no, I’m still thirsty~”

“Didn’t you say you were too full?”

“Yes, too full and thirsty.”

“…”

“Hey, I feel like I’m wandering around on the street holding my stomach, like a pregnant woman. This belly has to be four months old. Oh, no, no, I have to sit down and rest, I feel like I’m going to throw up from being so full.”

Jin Yang put down his bags and sat with him on a bench by the road. It was almost eleven o’clock and the bustling city had quieted down a lot. There weren’t many people on the road, and occasionally a car would pass by.

“Jin Yang,” he suddenly called out to him.

“Hmm?”

“I just suddenly thought, will we still be eating until we’re full and then going downstairs to shop like this in a few decades? Will we end up like the old man downstairs, playing cards together and too lazy to go shopping?”

Jin Yang took the tea from him as he complained about being full, and put it in a plastic bag. “You’re capable of doing something like that.”

“Are you saying I’m lazy?” he asked, adding, “On the surface, it may seem that way, but I’m actually very hardworking, you know.”

Jin Yang looked at him deeply, the words he wanted to say on his lips, but then changed his mind. “I can tell that you’ve been reducing the frequency of online shopping lately.”

“How much has it been reduced?” Zhou Mushi asked with a smile.

Jin Yang looked at the moon in the distance, which was not so bright due to the streetlights, and said to the person next to him, “One-third.”

“How come only one-third? I feel like I haven’t bought anything online for a long time,” the person replied.

“That’s just your illusion,” Jin Yang answered.

“Okay,” the person’s eyes sparkled, and they said firmly, “I’ll persevere.”

Jin Yang smiled and said, “That’s a good attitude. Let’s go home.”

The night was quiet, the shadows were long, and they walked through the streets and alleys with their loved one, slowly pacing, feeling a slight chill in the air but also a hint of tenderness.

Suddenly, just before they reached the door of the house, Jin Yang dropped the plastic bag he was carrying.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Mushi asked.